Excavating bucket



Aug.' 21 1945- R. O. BILLINGS 2,382,955

EXCAVATING BUCKET Fild May 2o, 1943 INVENTOR.

H 7' TOR NES/5.

Patented Aug. 21, 1945 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE c `2,332,955 f' w I c EXCAVATING BUC-kar A Roy o. Billings, Milwaukee, wis. c ApplicationMay 20, 1943;"1Ser`ia`l No.` 487,709

solalms. (01. `@1 -184) This invention, relates to improvements in excavating buckets and is particularly adaptedfor use in connection with'buckets of the clamshell type.

Clamshell buckets are commonly supported by a cable which extends over a sheave on the outer end of a boom. This cable controls theraising and lowering of the bucket. The usual type of clamshell bucket is also equipped with a second cable which controls the opening and closing of the bucket bottom. During the latter operation there is necessarily an upward pull exerted on l the entire bucket which tends'to raise thebucket out of proper engagement with the ground or other material to be lifted. This is obviously unl desirable. 4 c i It is a general object `of the present invention to obviate the abovementioned objectionablefeature by providing improved means for operating the bucket bottom. w

A more specific object ofthe invention is to provide a bucket wherein the opening and closing of the bottom is'controlled by an hydraulic ram built on the bucket. l The ram ispreferably so arranged that the piston rodis hydraulically moved ina downward directionto cause closing of the bucket bottom. p

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction in which the opening and closing of the bucket bottom is more positive than `with the cable controlled methods nowutilized.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamshell bucket construction wherein the hydraulic fluid for operating the ram is conducted to the ram cylinder by means of a flexible conduit leading from the boom or other location. and wherein novel reel mechanism is utilized for paying out and taking in the flexible conduit as required. c

A more specificl object of the invention is to provide a construction, as above described, wherein the conduit reel may be embodied in the construction of a tagline reel `so that both `the iiexble conduit and tagline are payed out and reeled in uniformly. c c w A further object of the invention is to `provide in a construction, as above outlined, a two-part reel, one part accommodating the tagline, and the other accommodating the flexible conduit. The two reel parts normally rotate as `a unit, but novel mechanism is included whereby one reel part may rotate somewhat relative tofthe other to compensate for any differences in the effective external diameters as the elongated members are Wound on the reel.

arrangement is utilized for controlling the open--A ing and clsingof' the bucket bottom in response to operation ofthe ram. i

With the above andother objects in viewA the invention consists of the improvements in excavating `buckets. and 'all'its parts andl combinations as set forth inthe claims and all equivalents thereof. c Y c w c In the accompanying drawing illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same` parts in all of the views:

Fig. l` is'a side elevational view of the bucket construction, onlythe upper portion of the supporting boombeinlg illustrated. 'I'he full lines illustrate the bucket bottom in open position and thedot and dash lines` indicate the position of the parts when the bucket bottom is closed;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the bucket alone in open position, part of the ram cylinder being bro-ken away and shown in section; and c `liig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the reel mechanism, part being broken away. Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a boom having an outer end sheave 6 over which the cable 'I is guided. The boom mayv bepart of an excavating machine, or any suitable device. The construction is `particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with truck cranes of `the type disclosed in my pending applicationQSerialNo. 457,052, led September 2; 1942, wherein there is hydraulic operating mechanism. c c

y'I'hebucket proper includes a supporting head piece 8 `which is suspended from the lower end of the cable 1. Arms 9 arepivotally connected at their lupper ends tothe head piece as'at I0 and at their lowerends are pivotally connected tothe bucket bottom`members II as at I2.' The I 8 pivotallyconnected to the head piece 8. The

ramincludes a pistonrod I9 which has its outer endzpivotally connected to a `rod 20. The rod 20 connects theends` of a pairofle'vers 2 I`. These levers are pivoted to the arms 9 as at 22 and have their inner ends formed with projecting pins 23 which co-act with the slots I6 of the arms I5. The ram I1 is preferably constructed as illustrated in my pending application, Serial No. 450,974, filed July 15, 1942.

Referring now to Fig. 3, hydraulic uid, under pressure, is forced through the pipe 24 by a gear pump or other source of hydraulic pressure on the frame of the truck or excavator.. .The hydraulic fluid passes 'through the pipe 24; through pipes 25 and 26, and through the flexible conduit 21. The flexible conduit connects with the upper end of the cylinder I8 so that fluid, under pressure, causes downward movementof the y.piston The latter actuates the levers 2l and.

rod I9.

eters of the reel parts are slightly different, then the spring 4I will permit a relative rotation of one reel part with respect to the other by Way of compensation.

A coil spring 44 surrounding the tubular shaft 32 has one end anchored to the shaft as at 45 the tagline and flexible conduit.

arms I5 to cause movement of the parts from the full line position of Fig. -1 to the dot :and dash line position therein.

During such closing movement of the bottom the pressure exerted bythe piston .rod .1.9 is irl-,a downwarddirection. Where acable is employed-forv-closing the bottom cfa clamshell bucket, .as is the usual practice, there is necessarily an 4upward pull Aon vthe `cable when the bucket bottom is being closed. This `tends to iundesirably ylift the bucket out of properengagement with ,the ground.

1When vit is-.desired yto open the bucket, -asuitable valve' is .manipulated to shut off the source of hydraulic uid pressure onthe-ram 21, and to permit Athe return of -uid into the reservoir of the hydraulic system. The weight ofv the hucketfbottcm together .withthe weight -of the loadginfthe bucket will cause .opening of-fthe bucket to the full line position of Fig. l, and -returniof .thepiston'rod 19 to its 'full line position.

In order to prevent interference from-the'flexible conduit during Vuse of the fstrfucture, it is highly desirable `to keep. the nexible conduit in a condition withoutfundue slack. -AccordinglyaJ reel is :preferably employedonthe boom or in any other `suitable ,location .on'the-truck. It is a feature of thepresent -invention to-combine the reel for the flexible .conduit with atagline reel sothat the tagline and diexible -conduit .fare payed out and retrieved uniformly. v

The reel, which it 'is :preferred .to utilize, in-

' cludes .a supportingbracket -29 which may be anchored to extend transversely ofthe boom. @ne end ofthe bracket 29 is yfor-med with a bearing 33 .and the `other end with a bearing 3|. R'otatable -in said bearings is a tubular shaft 312, and -one fend vof the shaft projects beyond the bearing 3l -as -at 33.; Rigidly supported'on lthe projectingend-is-a tagline reelpart-34 on which a tagline 35 is Windable. The tagline connects `with the 4bucketas at 36. Taglines arecommonly employed for preventing .swinging actionof the buckets and twisting-of the load line cable 1.

Rigidlyconnected tortherouter face of the -reel part 34 -bybolts 31isfa tubular projection 38 on -vvhich-a conduit reel Vpart .39 is rotatably mounted. .The inner face of .the reel part 39 has a circular flange 40, projecting therefrom 4for supporting a coilspring 4I. This spring has one end anchored to the reel part .39 as -at -42 and .has its other end anchored Yto the reel part 34 as-at -43. rThe spring is of such strength that the two reel parts normally rotate as :a unit. However, should v.there be any difference in the diameter of `the' -exible conduit 21 with respect .to the diameterof the tagline cable 35, or should one or lthe other-ofthe -vvrappings .tend to build up on thev reel .so that the effective external ldiam- The reel mechanism may also be equipped with a brake-'drum 41 which is cooperable with a brake band 48. This arrangement is fully described in my Patent No. 2,283,784. The turning movement of the shaft 32 as the tagline is being payed out tends to automatically cause the brake band 48 to exert a drag on the shaft 32 so as to prevent slack in the tagline. When the reel is being rotated in a reverse direction, the brake band automatically unwraps to lessen the drag on the shaft 32.

The :pipe 25 I'for conducting hydraulic uid to and 4from the -ram l1 `extends axially through the tubular reel `shaft 32. One end of the pipe 25 may have a swivel connection 49 with an L-tting connecting with the 1ead-in pipe .24. The pipe .25,.therefore, as welles the pipe section 26 may rotate with the reel.

yIn useof the device, as the load line 1 is lowered to allowthe bucket to contact the ground or other-material, theexible conduit 21 and tagline l35 lunwind `from the reel parts 39 and 34. During such unwinding the spring 44, togeth'er with the brakeband 48, prevent undesired slack in either line. When the bucket engages the ground or Vvother material, then hydraulic uid, .under pressure, is caused to iiow through the pipes 24, 25,26 andflexibleconduit 2.1-to the cylinder Ifor th'epram. Thiscauses extension of the piston rod .I9 from the full line position of Fig. 1 to the dot and dash line position therein. At the same time the levers 2 I-sWng, as indicated, to cause forcible closing of the bucket bottom members Il. During such movement of thelevers 2.I the slot I6 permits .transverse movement of the pins 23.

After the .bucket has been loaded and closed, the .load line maybe raisedand the boom 5 may be swung to va desired position for discharge. During the .raising of the bucket, the exible cable 2.1 and tagline .35 are effectively retrievedby the reel. By relieving the hydraulic pressure in the line 21 the Ybucket will open due tothe action of gravity yinfluenced by the weight of the bucket bottom land .the weight ofthe load. At the same time the piston .rod I9 and levers 2! will be returned to the full line position of Fig. 1.

Itis .obvious .that the broader aspects of the inventionare applicable to buckets of various types and that the mechanism for retrieving the iiexible conduit21 may be different from that illustrated. There is, however, a cooperative relationship between the tagline, exible conduit and reels therefor which increases the efficiency of operation of the ram .equippedbucket Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and yall of such changes are contemplated as vmay come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a clamshell bucket havinga frame portion and .having a pair of .hingedlyconnected bottom grapple members` pivotally suspended from said frame, an hydraulic ram having its cylinder" pivotally connected to said frame portion,` a downwardly extensible piston rod co-acting with said cylinder, lever means pivoted intermediate its length to said frame portion and having one end grapple members pivotally suspended from said frame, an hydraulic ram having its cylinder pivotally connected to said frame portion, anextenpivotally connected to the outer end of said piston rod, and means for connecting the other end of said lever means to said bottom grapple members to cause closing of the latter when th'e piston rod is extended.

2. In a clamshell bucket having a frame portion and having a pair of hingedly connected bottom grapple members pivotally suspended from said frame, an hydraulic ram having its cylinder pivotally connected to said frame portion, a downwardly extensible piston `rod co-acting with said cylinder, lever means pivoted intermediate its length to said frame portion'and having one end pivotally connected to the outer end of said piston rod, and arms extending upwardly from` the hinged connection of the bottom grapple members, said arms having their 'upper ends pivotally t connected to the inner end of said lever means.

3. In a clamshell bucket having a frame porl tion and having a pair of hingedly connected bottom grapple members pivotally suspended'from l said frame, an hydraulic ram having its cylinder pivotally connected to said frame portion, a downwardly extensible piston rod co-acting with said cylinder, lever means pivoted intermediate its length to said frame portion and having one end pivotally connected to the outer end of said piston rod, and arms extending upwardly from the hinged connection of the bottom grapple members, said arms having their upper ends slotted and pivotally connected in said slots to the inner end of said lever means. 1 l

4. In a crane structure, a fboom, a load line suspended from said boom, a bucket having a .bottom adapted to `be opened and closed during use suspended from the boom by said load line,

an hydraulic ram supported on the bucket for operating said bottom, a flexible conduit `for conducting hydraulic fluid to the ram, a tagline con,- nected to the bucket, a two-part reel on the crane duit as required by the position of the bucket, spring means connecting the twg parts of the reel, said spring means being positioned to normally cause the; two `reel parts to rotate as a unitbut permitting rotation of one reelpart with respect to the4 other against the tension of said spring means, and means for conducting hy` draulic fluid to the flexible conduit on one vof said reel parts.

5. In.a `clamshell bucket having a `frame and havingV a pair of hingedly connected bottom Q structure for paying out tagline and flexible consible piston rod co-acting with said cylinder, lever :means pivoted intermediate its length tosaid frame portion and having one end pivotally confnected` to the outer end of said piston rod, and

rmeans'for connecting the other end of .said lever means to^said bottom grapple members to cause movement of the latter when the piston rod is extended.

6. In a` clamshell bucket having a frame andV `having a `pair of hingedly connected bottom grapple members pivotally suspendedfrom said frame, an hydraulic ram having its cylinder pivot- `ally connected to said frame portion, an extensible piston rod co-acting with said cylinder, lever means pivoted intermediate its length `to said said frame portion and having one end pivotally,

connected to the outer end of said piston rod,

`and arms extending upwardly from the hinged connection of the bottom grapple members, said arms having their upper ends slotted and pivotally connected in said slots to the inner end of said lever means. l i

8. In a crane structure, ar boom, a load line suspended from said boom,v a bucket Yhaving a bottom adapted to be opened and closed during use suspended from the boom by said load line, an hydraulic ram supported on the bucket `for operating said bottom, a flexible conduit for conducting hydraulic fluid to the ram,`a tagline connected to the bucket, a two-part reel on the crane structure for paying out tagline and ilexible conduit as requiredY by the position of the bucket, `means normally causing the two reel parts l to rotate as aunit and constructed to permit rotation of one reel part with respect tothe otherwhen necessary to compensate for differences in the effective externaldiameters of the two reel parts, and means for conductinghydraulic fluid to the flexible conduit on one of said reel parts.

\ ROY O. BILLINGS. 

